Roland Furieux, Poëme Héroique de l'Arioste

Art Historical Context

Step into the chivalrous world of *Roland Furieux, Poëme Héro de l'Arioste* (1775–76), a stunning illustrated edition of Ludovicoosto's Renaissance epic *Orlando Furioso*. First published in 1516, Ariosto's poem weaves tales of knights, love, madness, and magic, centering on the paladin Roland's furor over unrequited love. This luxury volume, printed as a book of engravings, captures era's fascination with heroic romance, blending Italian literary heritage with 18th-century elegance. Crafted by a dream team of Rococo and Neoclassical talents—including designers like Charles Dominique Joseph Eisen, Jean-Baptiste Greuze, and Charles Nicolas Cochin II, plus master engravers such as Francesco Bartolozzi, Giovanni Battista Cipriani, and Nicolas Ponce—the work showcases intricate engraving techniques. Fine lines and tonal gradations bring to life dynamic scenes of men, women, and lush trees, evoking dramatic encounters amid enchanted landscapes. At 10¼ × 8⅜ inches, this compact treasure from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department exemplifies the golden age of illustrated books. Acquired through the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund in 1917, it highlights Enlightenment-era opulence, where art met literature to inspire imagination. A testament to collaborative brilliance, it invites visitors to ponder how engravings preserved epic stories for new generations.

About the Artist

Ludovico Ariosto|Louis d'Ussieux|Brunet|Charles Dominique Joseph Eisen|Francesco Bartolozzi|Giovanni Battista Cipriani|Charles Nicolas Cochin II|Nicolas Ponce|Jean Michel Moreau the Younger|Nicolas de Launay|Jean-Baptiste Greuze|Pietro Antonio Martini (French|Italian|French|British) · 1739 |1474 |1732 |1750 –1792 |1533 |1832 |1800

French, Paris, 1739–1792|Italian, Reggio Emilia 1474–1533 Ferrara|French, Paris 1732–after 1808|